PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCASI) provides for the free exercise of religion for authorized Department of War personnel and their eligible family members assigned to or supported by the installation. Because Roman Catholic priest coverage is not consistently available through active-duty chaplain assignment, the Government requires the services of an endorsed Roman Catholic priest to provide the Catholic pastoral care necessary to sustain the Command Religious Program.

1.2

This contract is intended to provide continuous Roman Catholic ministry aboard MCASI in accordance with applicable Department of the Navy and Marine Corps guidance, and in accordance with the current Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Minimum Requirements for the Pastoral Care of Catholic Personnel (22 February 2021).

1.3

This contract shall be administered so that the Roman Catholic community aboard MCASI receives stable sacramental, pastoral, catechetical, and liturgical support, whether or not an active-duty Catholic priest is assigned to the installation.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

2.1

The objective of this contract is to provide for the pastoral care of Roman Catholic personnel and eligible family members served by MCASI through the ministry of a duly endorsed Roman Catholic priest.

2.2

The contractor shall support and implement the core elements of a Catholic program, including:

a. Sunday, Holy Day, and daily Mass

b. Comprehensive religious education and sacramental preparation

c. Comprehensive sacramental ministry, including Baptism, Penance, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick

d. Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

e. Young Adult Catholic ministry

f. Spiritual enrichment programs

g. Pastoral counseling and spiritual care consistent with Roman Catholic ministry and military requirements

3.0 REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Ecclesiastical Status

The contractor shall be a validly ordained Roman Catholic priest in good standing, possess current priestly faculties from his ecclesiastical authority, and obtain and maintain all AMS endorsement/faculties required to perform ministry under this contract.

3.2 Third-Party Contractors

The AMS will not grant an endorsement for a priest working through a third-party staffing agency. The contract must be held by the priest. The process for priests to register themselves as a business entity and bid for Catholic contract positions can be complex. Many offers of assistance to priests come with (invisible) strings attached, e.g., a monthly fee deducted from the money to which the priest is entitled. When bidding for and signing any contract, priests must ensure that theirs is the only name and address mentioned in the contract, whether as owner, president, secretary, or other position. If another name and/or address appears on the contract, the contract should not be signed until the information is removed.

3.3 AMS / MCASO Compliance

The contractor shall perform all Catholic ministry under this contract in conformity with the current AMS Minimum Requirements for the Pastoral Care of Catholic Personnel, together with applicable liturgical law, canon law, and Roman Catholic ecclesiastical norms. Become aware of the Navy/Marine Corps instructions which provide guidance for the MCASI Command religious Program (CRP), to include but not limited to MCASO 1730.1 series.

3.4 Verification of Standing

Before commencing unsupervised performance, the contractor shall provide written evidence of AMS endorsement/faculties and current good standing sufficient for Government verification.

3.5 Reporting and Supervision

The contractor shall report administratively and contractually to the Government-designated supervisory chaplain. For day-to-day execution, that supervisor may be the Deputy Chaplain or another chaplain designated in writing by the Command Chaplain. Nonetheless, the Senior Catholic Priest Chaplain will have the final authority over the entire Catholic Program on any military installation.

3.6 Catholic Program Authority

Administrative supervision and contract oversight remain Government functions. However, in all Catholic liturgical, sacramental, catechetical, and pastoral matters, the contractor shall function consistent with AMS authority and governance requirements.

3.7 Only-Priest Provision

When the contract priest is the only Catholic priest serving aboard MCASI, he shall serve as the authoritative Roman Catholic subject-matter expert delegated by the AMS in all Catholic matters, and the Catholic program shall be executed accordingly. This provision is required for the contract to remain valid for Catholic ministry under AMS standards.

3.8 Advisor to Chapel Leadership

When the contractor is not the senior chaplain of the installation, he shall nevertheless serve as the definitive advisor to the senior chaplain regarding the Catholic program.

3.9 Religious Diversity

The contractor shall function professionally in a religiously diverse military environment in which chapels and ministry spaces may be shared by multiple faith groups, while preserving required Catholic norms for Catholic worship and sacramental ministry.

3.10 English Proficiency

The contractor shall speak conversational English, preach effectively, provide pastoral care in English, and celebrate Mass and other rites in English unless otherwise authorized and pastorally required.

3.11 Confidentiality

The contractor shall provide spiritual care and pastoral counseling in a manner that protects the absolute confidentiality required for counseling, confession, and privileged communication.

3.12 Availability

The contractor shall be sufficiently available to support Catholic personnel and eligible family members requiring spiritual care, sacramental ministry, counseling, catechesis, and related ministry. The contract shall support at least the minimum level of priest ministry necessary to maintain a Catholic program in accordance with current AMS requirements.

3.13 Minimum Weekly Priest Support

This contract is intended to provide continuous Roman Catholic ministry aboard MCASI in accordance with applicable Department of the Navy and Marine Corps guidance, and in accordance with the current Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Minimum Requirements for the Pastoral Care of Catholic Personnel (22 February 2021).3.14 Required Coordination

The contractor shall attend chapel staff meetings, Religious Ministry Team meetings, trainings, and planning sessions as requested by the Government-designated supervisory chaplain.

3.15 Records and Reporting

The contractor shall maintain accurate sacramental records, required Catholic ministry records, AMS-required reports, and chapel ministry data/reports as directed by the Government. All contract employees must maintain ministerial faculties and liaison with Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). This includes advising AMS of any change in ecclesiastical status or contact information.

3.16 Systems and Administrative Competence

The contractor shall be competent in the use of computers, government e-mail, office software, digital communication tools, and required reporting systems necessary for performance of the contract.

3.17 Transportation

Unless otherwise provided by the Government, the contractor shall provide his own local transportation to and from the installation and any other authorized performance locations under this contract.

3.18 Professional Appearance

The contractor shall maintain professional clergy appearance and comportment at all times.

Appropriate ecclesiastical attire shall be worn for Masses, sacraments, and liturgical functions.

3.19 Government Property

The contractor shall properly use, safeguard, and account for all Government-furnished property, supplies, equipment, credentials, and access devices issued for contract performance.

4.0 TASKS

4.1 General

The contractor shall provide Roman Catholic ministry aboard MCASI in support of the Command Religious Program and in conformity with AMS requirements. Be present 20 minutes prior to the start of all services.

4.2 Weekend Masses

The contractor shall provide scheduled Roman Catholic weekend Masses as established by the Command Religious Program and approved by chapel leadership. Weekend Masses may include anticipated Saturday Mass and Sunday Mass, ordinarily resulting in approximately two weekend Masses per week, except as adjusted for mission, approved absence, holy days, or replacement coverage. A Saturday or Sunday Mass normally lasts approximately 60 minutes but may extend as long as 90 minutes.

4.3 Weekday Masses

The contractor shall provide a minimum of 180 daily masses a year (average of 4 Weekday Masses per week) scheduled unless otherwise directed by the Government for mission, holiday, emergency, approved absence, or replacement coverage.

4.4 Holy Days and Special Liturgies

The contractor shall provide Masses and related Catholic liturgical observances for Holy Days of Obligation, principal solemnities, feasts, penitential seasons, and other special celebrations in accordance with the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar and the Command Religious Program schedule.

4.5 Daily Mass Priority

The celebration of daily Mass shall take precedence over nonessential collateral demands unless mission-essential requirements warrant otherwise. Catholics at MCASI should have access to daily Mass at times reasonably convenient to the military community.

4.6 Confession / Penance

The contractor shall provide at least one regularly scheduled weekly opportunity for the Sacrament of Penance, and the scheduled confession period shall be separated from Mass by not less than 15 minutes. Additional confession opportunities shall be provided as pastorally required and as schedule permits.

4.7 Sacramental Ministry

The contractor shall provide or coordinate sacramental ministry as needed and as authorized, including:

a. Baptisms

b. First Communion preparation and celebration

c. Confirmation preparation and coordination

d. Marriage preparation and weddings

e. Penance and reconciliation services

f. Anointing of the Sick

g. Funeral Masses, memorial services, and related rites

h. Hospital, emergency, and bedside sacramental ministry when requested and reasonably available

4.8 Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care

The contractor shall maintain reasonable pastoral availability for walk-ins, appointments, counseling, spiritual direction, pastoral visitation, and ministry to active-duty personnel, family members, and other authorized beneficiaries.

4.9 Unit and Community Ministry

The contractor shall support Catholic ministry requirements for tenant commands, units, and authorized segments of the MCASI community as coordinated through chapel leadership and within the scope of this contract.

4.10 Religious Education and Catechesis

The contractor shall oversee and provide for Catholic religious education and sacramental preparation, including, as applicable, youth catechesis, adult formation, marriage preparation, and doctrinal instruction. Final decisions regarding Catholic religious instruction and Catholic catechetical content shall remain with the Catholic priest consistent with AMS standards.

4.11 OCIA

The contractor shall supervise or provide the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and related adult faith formation.

4.12 Young Adult Ministry

The contractor shall support Catholic ministry to young adults, especially active-duty personnel ages 18–29, with focus on spiritual readiness, moral formation, and integration into Catholic community life.

4.13 Spiritual Enrichment

The contractor shall support Catholic spiritual enrichment opportunities, such as retreats, seasonal formation, devotional observances, and faith-development opportunities as approved by the Government.

4.14 Volunteer Ministry and Training

The contractor shall recruit, train, supervise, certify, and oversee Catholic volunteers and ministers as required, including altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), catechists, and other Catholic worship volunteers consistent with AMS and Catholic norms.

4.15 Blessed Sacrament

Where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved aboard MCASI under applicable regulations, the contractor shall be responsible for its reverent safeguarding, reservation, and supervision in accordance with AMS requirements. Responsibility for the Blessed Sacrament shall not be delegated contrary to Catholic norms.

4.16 Lay Leaders / Catholic Representatives / EMHC

Only properly approved Catholic personnel may function as Lay Leaders, Catholic Representatives, and EMHC in accordance with AMS requirements. The contractor shall ensure required training, authorization, accountability, and ongoing oversight of such personnel.

4.17 Absence of a Priest

In the absence of the active military duty Roman Catholic Priest assigned to MCASI, the Contractor shall have authority and oversee the conduct of Roman Catholic Religious Education, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) programs in coordination with the Catholic Coordinators of Religious Education (CRE). If no priest is available for a scheduled Catholic gathering, Catholic lay support shall only be conducted in a form permitted by AMS policy and authorized by another supervisory catholic priest with AMS faculties; Unauthorized Communion Services shall not be conducted. Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest shall occur only when properly authorized.

4.18 Confirmation and Seasonal Events

The contractor shall coordinate and prepare major Catholic events, including Confirmation retreats, Confirmation liturgies with visiting bishops, Advent and Lent penance opportunities, Holy Week and Easter liturgies, and other major seasonal observances.

4.19 Prayers of the Faithful

The contractor shall prepare or approve the Prayers of the Faithful for assigned Sunday, Holy Day, and other major liturgies in conformity with liturgical norms.

4.20 Coordination or Delegation

Coordinate or delegate all necessary rehearsals and training of volunteer personnel in support of the conduct of the Masses such as Altar Servers, Lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers.

Conduct or effectively oversee the training and certification of worship volunteers as required such as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Religious Education Volunteers.

Coordinate or delegate the Confirmation Retreat and prepare the Confirmation Mass to be celebrated by an AMS bishop.

4.21 Ministry Reporting

The contractor shall provide timely data and inputs required for chapel reporting, Catholic program analytics, sacramental recordkeeping, and supervisory oversight.

4.22 Service Presence

The contractor shall be present sufficiently in advance of scheduled liturgies to prepare for worship, coordinate with chapel support personnel, and ensure proper execution of the liturgy.

5.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED SUPPORT

5.1 Chapel and Office Support

The Government shall provide suitable chapel space, liturgical support space, and office space sufficient for the contractor to conduct worship preparation, sacramental ministry, confidential counseling, and administrative duties.

5.2 Confidential Counseling Space

The Government shall provide or make available a workspace conducive to confidential counseling and confession, consistent with the mission-essential nature of priestly spiritual care.

5.3 Liturgical Materials

5.3.1 The Government shall provide all necessary liturgical books, vessels, vestments, sacramental materials, furnishings, consumables, and other chapel items required for Roman Catholic worship and sacramental ministry.

5.3.2 Reimbursement cannot be made for any items purchased personally by the contract employees, even if related to the performance of duties.

5.4 Communications and Network Access

The Government shall provide the contractor with the communications and information technology support necessary to execute the contract, to include, as authorized and available:

a. Common Access Card (CAC) or equivalent credential required for access

b. Government computer and workstation

c. Government network/Department of War (DOW) access, limited to specific folders that are required for the tasks.

d. Government e-mail account and required digital accounts

e. Printer access

f. Government phone or official communications capability

g. Reasonable IT support for account creation, workstation connectivity, and mission execution

This support shall be sufficient to permit effective communication between the contractor, chapel staff, and the Catholic community, and to complete required administrative and reporting functions.

5.5 SOFA / Status Processing

The Government may assist with processing requests for SOFA status, as applicable, in accordance with DFARS 252.225-7976 and Contracting Officer direction. SOFA status is subject to applicable legal and administrative requirements and is not guaranteed.

Personnel not granted SOFA status are responsible for obtaining all documentation and authorizations required under Japanese law.

5.6 Comparable Workplace Access

To the maximum extent permitted by law, policy, and host-nation agreement, the Government shall provide the contractor workplace access and administrative support comparable to that afforded to other chapel personnel requiring routine network, office, and installation support to execute mission-essential duties.

5.7 Notification of Schedule Changes

The Government shall provide as much advance notice as practicable of schedule changes, facility conflicts, cancellations, or command events affecting Catholic worship and ministry.

6.0 SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, AND PROPERTY

6.1

The Government shall furnish those supplies and materials necessary for performance of official duties under this contract.

6.2

The contractor may submit requests for service-related materials or support items that would enhance Catholic ministry. Approval remains subject to Government need, availability, and funding. If the Government does not provide mission-essential supplies in time to meet scheduled services, the Contractor shall notify the COR/Contracting Officer as soon as practicable.

6.3

Items purchased with Government funds remain Government property unless otherwise specified by contract such as sacramental requirements.

6.4

The contractor shall not be required to fund Government-furnished worship supplies, Government-directed chapel support items, or Government-required administrative infrastructure from personal funds. The Government shall not rely on personal purchases as a method of contract performance.

7.0 SCHEDULING, DAYS OFF, LEAVE, AND TEMPORARY ABSENCE

7.1 Coordination of Non-Duty Days

The monthly ministry schedule shall account for regular weekend Masses, weekday Masses, holy days, sacramental requirements, and the contractor’s approved non-duty days. The Government and contractor shall coordinate schedules no later than one (1) week prior to the following month to avoid preventable gaps in coverage.

7.2 Planned Absence

The contract shall be administered to allow reasonable planned absence for rest, renewal, and long-term sustainment of priestly ministry. Planned annual absence, retreat, and related leave periods shall be planned as far as possible in advance with chapel leadership and incorporated into the annual ministry support plan.

7.3 Notice of Absence

For short, planned absences, the contractor shall notify the Government-designated supervisory chaplain as far in advance as practicable. For longer planned absences, notice should ordinarily be provided not less than sixty (60) days in advance when feasible. In cases of emergency or illness, notice shall be provided as soon as possible.

7.4 Auxiliary / Help-Out Priest Coverage

Regardless of the reason for the absence of regular contract employees, the Contractor shall remain solely responsible for ensuring the performance of all work required by this contract is accomplished. Therefore, the Contractor shall ensure that a qualified and suitable non-uniformed replacement is provided in a timely manner and compensate the replacement appropriately. The Government is not responsible for payment of a replacement priest when necessary, in performance of this contract. Additionally, the Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring the replacement is knowledgeable of the requirements of this contract. The replacement must be a fully qualified Roman Catholic Priest in good standing with the Church and possessing the faculties of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

7.5 Roman Catholic Holy Days and Seasons

The Government shall recognize that the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar creates predictable periods of increased ministry demand, including Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Week, Easter, Advent, Christmas, Lent and sacramental seasons. Scheduling and coverage planning shall account for these demands.

8.0 PAYMENT AND INVOICING

8.1

The contractor shall submit invoices monthly in accordance with the contract schedule and current Government payment procedures, including Wide Area Workflow or successor system, as applicable.

8.2

The contractor is responsible for timely and accurate submission of invoices and supporting documentation as required by the contract.

9.0 SECURITY, CREDENTIALING, AND INSTALLATION ACCESS

9.1

Background Checks: Federally mandated background checks will be performed in accordance with Public Law 101-647, Section 231 (Crime Control Act of 1990), Criminal History Background Checks on all individuals working with this contract. The Contractor shall initiate all required forms and necessary information for the background check. These forms shall be submitted by the Contractor to the required sources for completion. Background checks must be completed prior to personnel assigned duties under this contract.

9.2

The Contractor is responsible for obtaining a National Agency Check Plus Written Inquires and Credit Check (NACI) or equivalent for all individuals performing under this contract. This background check will require the completion of the SF-85 or SF-85P forms. The Contractor is responsible for all costs associated with these background checks. The Contractor shall ensure that these backgrounds checks are completed prior to personnel performing assigned duties under this contract.

9.3

Identification and Base Passes. The Contractor shall obtain identification cards and base passes.

Application shall be coordinated through the Contracting Office or designated representative. At time of application, Security Forces may conduct a background check on the Contractor. Upon termination of employment, the Contractor shall return identification cards and base passes to Security Forces within 24 hours.

9.4

If applicable to the contractor’s nationality and legal status, the contractor shall comply with host-nation administrative requirements associated with performance in Japan.

9.5

The contractor shall safeguard all keys, credentials, passes, devices, and access media issued by the Government and shall immediately report loss or compromise.

9.6

The Government may, at its option, require the Contractor to replace lost keys and devices issued by the Government or to reimburse the Government for the re-keying or replacement of locks and devices as a result of them having been lost by the Contractor. In the event that a master key is lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall be responsible for the total cost of replacing all locks and keys for that system.

10.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

10.1

The period of performance shall be stated in the contract schedule and may include one base period and option periods as authorized by law and regulation.

a. Base Year: 16 September 2026 to 15 September 2027

b. Option Year One: 16 September 2027 to 15 September 2028

c. Option Year Two: 16 September 2028 to 15 September 2029

d. Option Year Three: 16 September 2029 to 15 September 2030

e. Option Year Four: 16 September 2030 to 15 September 2031

11.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE

11.1

The contractor shall perform all services in accordance with Roman Catholic ecclesiastical standards, AMS requirements, and the terms of this contract.

11.2

The Government-designated COR or authoritative chaplain shall monitor contract performance through observation, schedule execution, records review, communication, and customer feedback as appropriate.

11.3

If deficiencies are identified, the Government shall notify the contractor and provide an opportunity for corrective action consistent with the contract. The Contractor will have 30 days to correct the deficiency. Disputes between the COR or authoritative chaplain and the Contractor over performance standards shall be referred to the Contracting Office for final determination.

11.4

Performance shall be considered acceptable when the contractor meets the required standards for Catholic worship, sacramental support, pastoral availability, reporting, communication, and professionalism.

11.5

Contracting Officer Representative (COR) is

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Task Performance Objective

PWS

Referen ce

Performance Threshold

Acceptable Quality Level

Surveillance Method Incentive

Conduct Weekend Masses

Conduct of Saturday/Sunday Roman Catholic Mass

2.2 4.2

Approximately two weekend Masses per week

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Weekday Masses Conduct of weekday Mass

2.2 4.3 4.5

A minimum of 180 daily masses a year (average of 4 Weekday Masses per week

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Holy Days and Special Liturgies

Provides requested rites, celebrations, & ceremonies in accordance with AMS standards

2.2 4 (all)

As required in accordance with AMS standards

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Confession / Penance

Provide regularly scheduled weekly Sacrament of Penance

2.2 4.6

At least one scheduled weekly confession period is provided and separated from Mass by at least 15 minutes

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Sacramental Ministry

Provide or coordinate sacramental ministry

2.2 4.7 4.9 4.15

As needed and as authorized

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care

Provide counseling, spiritual direction, pastoral visitation, and ministry.

2.2 4.8 4.9

Contractor maintains office hours, counseling access, and reasonable response to Catholic ministry needs.

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Religious Education and Catechesis

Provide training to worship volunteers, oversee Catholic Religious Education in accordance with AMS standards

2.2 4.10 4.11 4.13 4.14 4.17 4.20

As indicated by CRP, in accordance with AMS standards

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Professionalism Punctual to all meetings and programs; will dress appropriately and carry him/herself as a professional.

All Contractor maintains proper clergy conduct, communications, appearance, and coordination with chapel staff.

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Administration Ensure accurate records and any additional notes be maintained for future use.

2.2, 3.5 3.15, 3.16 4 (All)

Records, reports, and ministry inputs are completed accurately and on time

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Provide communication

Provide communication and information flow with volunteers, musicians and the congregation.

Maintain constant communication with Coordinating Chaplains.

Maintain consistent correspondence with the Archdiocese

All All communication and information flow with participants should happen on a monthly basis, and bi-weekly with the chaplain.

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment

Catholic Volunteer Oversight

EMHC, lectors, catechists, and other Catholic volunteers are trained and supervised

4.14, 4.20

Maintain oversight through quarterly check-ins.

Accuracy:

100%

100% Inspection Payment